The Indonesian legal landscape witnessed a significant academic and professional milestone on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as Yuhelson, the Secretary General of Peradi Profesional, was officially inaugurated as an Honorary Professor in the field of Bankruptcy Law at Jayabaya University. This prestigious appointment distinguishes Yuhelson as the first Secretary General of an advocate organization in Indonesia to achieve the rank of professor specifically specializing in bankruptcy law. The ceremony, held at the Auditorium Prof. Dr. H. Moeslim Taher in Jakarta, was attended by a distinguished gathering of state officials, leadership from the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and prominent members of the legal and academic communities.
The conferment of this honorary title reflects not only Yuhelson’s individual academic rigor but also a growing recognition of the need for specialized legal expertise in navigating Indonesia’s complex commercial environment. As the nation continues to integrate more deeply into the global economy, the nuances of insolvency, debt restructuring, and corporate governance have become paramount. Yuhelson’s elevation to the professorship is seen as a bridge between the practical world of legal advocacy and the theoretical frameworks of academic research.
A Landmark Achievement for the Advocate Profession
The inauguration was marked by a sense of pride within both the academic halls of Jayabaya University and the professional circles of Peradi Profesional. Vice Rector IV of Jayabaya University, Prof. Harris Arthur Hedar, emphasized that this achievement carries profound weight for the national advocate community. According to Prof. Harris, Yuhelson’s journey to the professorship serves as an inspiration for practitioners to pursue higher academic excellence.
"We are immensely proud of his success. He is the only Secretary General within an advocate organization to hold a professorship, specifically one earned in the specialized field of bankruptcy," Prof. Harris stated following the ceremony. He further noted that the title is far more than a mere academic accolade; it represents a tangible contribution to the evolution of Indonesian law. The recognition of a practitioner at this level suggests a shift toward valuing "clinical" expertise—where the experience of handling real-world cases informs the development of legal doctrine.
The Rector of Jayabaya University, Prof. Fauzie Yusuf Hasibuan, echoed these sentiments, reminding the newly minted professor that the title carries a heavy burden of responsibility. Prof. Fauzie remarked that an honorary professorship is not just a personal victory but a public mandate. The expectation is for the recipient to utilize their elevated platform to advance the frontiers of knowledge and provide meaningful contributions to the state, the society, and the legal system at large.
Scientific Oration: A Shift Toward Corporate Rescue
Central to the inauguration was Yuhelson’s scientific oration, which challenged the prevailing status quo of bankruptcy proceedings in Indonesia. His presentation, titled with a focus on the paradigm shift from liquidation to preservation, offered a critical analysis of Law No. 37 of 2004 on Bankruptcy and Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (PKPU).
Yuhelson argued that the current application of bankruptcy law in Indonesia is often too heavily oriented toward liquidation—the process of dissolving a company’s assets to pay off creditors. He posited that such a rigid approach often fails to consider the broader socio-economic consequences, such as the loss of jobs, the termination of productive economic cycles, and the erosion of the national industrial base.
To counter this, Yuhelson introduced the concept of "Summum Bonum" (the highest good) as a foundational principle for modern bankruptcy law. He advocated for a "Corporate Rescue" orientation, where the primary goal of the legal process should be to save viable businesses that are experiencing temporary financial distress.
"The ideas and thoughts expressed in this oration analyze the shift in the paradigm of Indonesian bankruptcy law, moving from a liquidation orientation toward an orientation of business rescue," Yuhelson explained. He warned against the dangers of "Summum Ius Summa Iniuria"—a legal maxim suggesting that the strict application of the law can result in the greatest injustice. In the context of bankruptcy, this means that if the law is applied too inflexibly to force a company into closure, it may achieve "legal certainty" but at the cost of substantive justice and economic stability.
The Evolution of Bankruptcy Law in Indonesia
To understand the significance of Yuhelson’s specialized focus, it is necessary to look at the history of insolvency law in the country. Indonesia’s bankruptcy regulations have their roots in the colonial-era Faillissements-verordening. However, the modern framework was largely shaped by the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis. At that time, the Indonesian government, under pressure from international financial institutions, overhauled its bankruptcy laws to provide a more efficient mechanism for debt recovery, leading to the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) No. 1 of 1998, which later became Law No. 4 of 1998.
This was eventually replaced by the current Law No. 37 of 2004. While the 2004 Law introduced the Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (PKPU) as a way to avoid bankruptcy, critics have long argued that the threshold for filing for bankruptcy in Indonesia remains too low. Currently, a debtor can be declared bankrupt if they have at least two creditors and have failed to pay at least one debt that is due and payable.
Yuhelson’s promotion of a "rescue" paradigm aligns with global trends seen in the United States (Chapter 11) and the United Kingdom (Administration), where the legal system provides a "breathing space" for companies to reorganize. His oration suggests that Indonesia must move away from a "punitive" view of insolvency toward a "restorative" one.
Data and Economic Implications
The call for a corporate rescue paradigm is supported by recent economic data. In the years following the global pandemic, Indonesia saw a significant uptick in PKPU and bankruptcy filings. According to data from various District Courts (PN) across major cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan, the number of petitions has remained high as businesses struggle with supply chain disruptions and fluctuating interest rates.
If the legal system defaults to liquidation, thousands of employees face immediate termination. By contrast, a successful corporate rescue—facilitated by a mediator or a flexible legal framework—allows the company to continue as a going concern, preserving tax revenue for the state and maintaining employment. Yuhelson’s emphasis on "substantive justice" suggests that the law must serve the economy, not just the creditors’ immediate desire for asset distribution.
Professional analysts suggest that a more robust corporate rescue framework could also improve Indonesia’s "Ease of Doing Business" ranking, specifically in the "Resolving Insolvency" category. Investors are generally more confident in jurisdictions where there is a clear, predictable, and fair path to restructuring rather than a quick path to dissolution.
Institutional and Political Support
The presence of DPR RI leadership and state officials at the inauguration underscores the political relevance of Yuhelson’s academic contribution. Bankruptcy law is frequently a subject of legislative debate, with ongoing discussions regarding the potential amendment of Law No. 37 of 2004. Yuhelson’s new role as an Honorary Professor places him in a strategic position to advise policymakers on these reforms.
Members of the legal community have reacted positively to the news. Many practitioners believe that having a high-ranking official from an advocate organization like Peradi Profesional in an academic leadership role will help bridge the gap between "law in books" and "law in action." It provides a platform for practitioners to voice the practical difficulties they face in courtrooms and during creditor meetings, ensuring that future legislation is grounded in reality.
Future Outlook and Academic Responsibility
As Yuhelson begins his tenure as an Honorary Professor, his focus is expected to remain on the refinement of the "Summum Bonum" concept within the Indonesian judiciary. His appointment is likely to spark further research at Jayabaya University and other institutions into the intersection of philosophy, economics, and commercial law.
For Jayabaya University, the appointment strengthens its Faculty of Law’s reputation as a center for specialized legal studies. By honoring a practitioner who has spent years at the forefront of the advocate profession, the university signals its commitment to an education system that is both theoretically sound and practically relevant.
In conclusion, the inauguration of Prof. Yuhelson represents a pivotal moment for Indonesian bankruptcy law. By advocating for a shift from liquidation to corporate rescue, he is challenging the legal community to view insolvency not as an end, but as a potential turning point for business rehabilitation. As the first Secretary General of an advocate organization to reach this academic height in this specific field, his journey reflects the maturing of the Indonesian legal profession and its increasing influence on the nation’s economic and social development. The responsibility now lies in translating these scientific orations into legislative reality and judicial practice, ensuring that the law truly serves the "highest good" for the Indonesian people.
